Veterinary nurse to run 2020 London marathon in aid of kidney charity Action for Alport’s

Ruth Radanovic with nephew Oliver Boothman

A veterinary nurse from Rochdale will be running the 2020 London marathon in honour of her nephew to raise money for a kidney charity.

Ruth Radanovic, who works at Vets4Pets Rochdale, must raise the sum of £2,500 for the charity to run the 26.2-mile race for Action for Alport’s, which raises money for research into Alport’s Syndrome – a rare genetic kidney disease which causes deafness and renal failure in those it affects.

Ruth has chosen the charity as her nephew, Oliver Boothman, has the condition.

Oliver, the eldest child of popular Rochdale pub landlord Ben Boothman, who runs the Flying Horse Hotel, was diagnosed with the condition in 2013, which affects his hearing, and means that he will need a new kidney in the future.

Ruth said: “I've never been a natural athlete, but I wanted to challenge myself to do something new.

“In July this year I was lucky enough to be offered one of the golden ticket places for the London marathon to run for kidney research, but all the funds I raise will be given to Action for Alport’s which is a division of kidney research.”

Ruth previously raised money for the Action for Alport's Campaign when she ran her first 10k race, the Rochdale 10k, in 2018.

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/120951/pub-landlords-sisterinlaw-to-run-10k-in-aid-of-alport-uk

Since then Ruth has completed the Great Manchester Run and the Rochdale 10k for a second time, before completing the Manchester half marathon on Sunday 13 October, which she finished in an impressive time of 2 hours and 19 minutes.

Ruth added: “I feel very privileged to have been chosen to run the London marathon as part of #teamkidney. Running a marathon will be the ultimate challenge for me as it is something that I have always aspired to do. 

“Please help me raise my target of £2,500 to help me raise awareness of this rare genetic disease.”

To donate, please visit:

• uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-display/showROFundraiserPage?userUrl=RuthRadanovic&pageUrl=1